First black police chief 'long overdue'

Britain's first black Chief Constable today said he hoped his appointment would be an example to others hoping to rise through the ranks.

Mike Fuller, 44, currently Deputy Assistant Commissioner at Scotland Yard, said an appointment such as his was "long overdue".

The father-of-two who is married to a solicitor, takes up his £120,000 position as Chief Constable of Kent in January.

He said he had overcome difficulties in his career but they had not deterred him from seeking promotion.

"I have always supported officers who have been unfortunate to experience racism. If black people were deterred from joining the police that would be a bad thing," he said.

Born in south London to Jamaican parents, Mr Fuller became a Met Police cadet when there were only five other black officers in the force. Now there are 1,000.

He started as a constable during the Brixton riots in 1990 and after success as a detective went on to head the Operation Trident task force which tackles armed black gangsters in the drug trade.

Mr Fuller said he hoped his appointment would send a message to other industries. "Black people should not be deterred from seeking promotion," he said. But he added: "There is a danger of putting too much emphasis on the racial element.

"I'm absolutely delighted to have this fantastic opportunity to lead Kent police force. Kent has a worldwide reputation, in particular for reducing crime. I hope to build on that."